220 The Disobedient Island.

grew louder and louder till it sounded like the
‘roar of many waters,’ and soon tens, hundreds,
thousands of birds of all kinds appeared, and bow-
ing low to the King-bird, said :

‘What does your Majesty wish us to do?”

“Something that will be very difficult, I fear,”
said he, ‘‘but something which I feel sure, will be
done by you, my loyal subjects, if anyone on earth
or in air can do it.”

At this the birds all cheered, and I wish you
could have heard that liquid, musical cheer, for the
lark led it.

‘“Now,” continued his Majesty, “go at once,
and lift that small Island, which you see out there,
and put it back here,” and he pointed to the place
where it had been.

“We will, we will,’ shouted all the birds,
courageously, and off they flew. Can you believe
me when I tell you that they actually did do this
wonderful thing? They pulled that small Island
up by means of the oak tree (which you remember
was partly above water) each one taking a twig,
and all pulling together, and as there were